Course Policies 521

Name: ________________________ Day #5 Lecture Seat No.: LHS ________ ; Test Seat No.: _______

1999-2000 Course Policies and First Semester Syllabus for 521

English II, Literary Genres/Composition

Teachers: Mrs. Corcoran, Mr. Pistner, Mr. Sundell, Mr. Hooper

1. Course Description: We study plays and poetry, mastering the terminology of each and our ability to write about and interpret samples from these genres.

2. Course Objectives: To identify play components, explicate poems, write cohesive 3-paragraph essays, develop reading skills, begin term paper research and introduce SAT Verbal strategies.

3. Quarterly grade: (1) Homework/Library work/In-class projects = 50%, (2) Quarter tests and quizzes = 30%, and (3) Class participation = 20%; (4) Extra credit. Semester grade = 0.8 (Quarterly avg.) + 0.2 (Semester Exam).

You are required to attend the Masque's fall play November 4, 5 or 6 Plan to go; attending earns two H+s, and not attending earns two "Misses."

4. Course Text: Elements of Literature (abb. EL)

5. Seminar teacher policies

a. Absence: You're responsible for material from missed classes, and for making up missed work.

Classmate’s name: ______________________ and phone no.: ____________________.

 

b. Materials

1 transparency and 1 non-permanent marker

3-ring notebook (may be used with other courses) with 5 labeled tabs (see "f. Notebook" below)

3.5" high density disk

2 paperback folders (light-colored, if you can) with prongs (Reading Day Folder, Journal Folder)

 

c. Homework: We have written homework almost every night. I grade it only if, in my estimation, it is sincerely done. Homework that I leave ungraded because it appears to be insincerely done is returned, marked late; in the gradebook, that homework is counted as "missing" until it's satisfactorily completed. Homework receives a passing grade only if EVERY DIRECTION is followed. Homework will not be accepted without this FORMAT anywhere at the top of the page:

 

Name

521-___

Due Date

SPECIFIC Homework title

 

Passing nightly homework receives 3 possible grades:

(1) H+ exceeds expectations. . . adds 5 points to Nightly Homework

(2) H meets expectations. . . keeps Nightly Homework grade the same

(3) H- does not meet expectations . . . subtracts 5 points from Nightly Homework grade.

Failing subtracts 7.5%; missing subtracts 10%. You start with 80%. You can go over 100%. There will be long-range homework, too. Be punctual. One day late is penalized 30%; 10% each day thereafter. Nightly homework turned in "late" subtracts 2.5% from overall Homework grade; 'very late' subtracts 5% from overall homework.

 

Nightly homework is due in seminar if we use it for classroom discussion. Otherwise, it's still on time if I receive it by day's end.

 

Long-range homeworks are equal to 3 Nightlies. You cannot pass a marking period unless you have turned in all long-range homeworks. Regularly check homework and test/quiz status posted on a bulletin board. Misses signal trouble.

Resubmission: You may resubmit homework any time during the marking period in which the homework was due, but not after October 22, 1999, January 6, 2000, March 10, 2000, and May 24, 2000. To resubmit, new homework must be stapled to old homework. New grades replace old ones. Freely use the stapler in my desk without asking.

 

d. Lecture Periods (Day #5): Use the Cornell method for note-taking. Lecture quiz next seminar.

 

e. One quarter test is equal to 4 quizzes.

 

f. Notebook: Keep a 3-ring notebook with tabs labeled (1) "Course Policies/Syllabus," (2) "Lectures and Classwork," (3) "Homeworks/Library Work," (4) "Reading Comprehension," and (5) "Tests and Quizzes," in this order. Keep semester work here.

 

g. Class participation: An easy and critical part of your grade. Answers and questions that show you're paying attention plus uncalled-on hands and Outcome Sentences add credit. Misbehavior, daydreaming subtract credit.

 

h. Reading Days: Two of every three Day #3s are silent Reading Days, when we read in class a novel from CHC's library and not otherwise required at CHC. Our first one is ____, 1999. Each semester, you pick and read 2 novels. We also write about the novels. The writing is kept in a Reading Day Folder.

 

i. Library Days: On occasion, we will research in the school library on seminar topics.

 

j. Extra Credit (if missing no work): (1) report on an extra novel (oral, 1-on-1) with very short writing exercise [+2%, +1%, +1%, ...no limit], or (2) write a poem-prayer for start of class using upcoming Sunday's Gospel (see posted list) [+1%, max 2%/semester], or (3) recite Psalm 23 before the class [+2%/semester].

 

k. I hold journal entries in strict confidence until I have reason to doubt your safety or health.

6. Course Outline

September 13, 1999 Introduction to Drama and to Inherit the Wind Hooper

September 22 Writing the 20-minute Essay for the PSAT Bateman

September 30 Introduction to Greek Drama and to Oedipus Rex Hooper

October 14 Analysis of Oedipus Rex Pistner

October 23 ESSAY TEST

November 2 QUARTER TEST

October 26, 1999 Mid-semester

November 11 Introduction to American Drama Pistner

November 19 Introduction to Death of a Salesman Hooper

December 1 Analysis of Death of a Salesman

December 9 Tips to Effective Essay-writing

December 17 QUARTER TEST

January 7, 2000 ESSAY TEST

January 15 Analogies

January 18-21 Semester Exams

 

7. Course materials, including this syllabus, can be found on the Internet at https://members.tripod.com/chchoop starting October 1, 1999.

8. Availability: It is easy to find me. I spend most of the day in Room 137, the English Office, the Computer Lab (Room 105). I gladly give extra help, arriving about 7:45 a.m. and leaving rarely before 5 p.m.

CRSEPOLI